Page 13 of Mayflower

I take a sip of cognac as I study my infinity pool and the ocean below. It will hurt if we all have to leave this island. I already feel like I failed. And not just those who live at Ayana. Even the ones with no money would be given an opportunity to move to one of the “safe” countries if we have to flee.

I failed Raven. My chest burns again at the thought that I overlooked the security issues that led to what happened to him. Months ago, he sent an army to save Kat and me from the Ashlands. And I couldn’t do that for him. I feel like shit. I want to get drunk. I want to do drugs. I want to forget. But most of all, I want the guilt to go away.

The next truth is much harsher—I failed Port Mrei. There was a time I didn’t give a shit about that town. We gave the locals work. We used them. It was a win-win.

But if we abandon Ayana, Butcher and his thugs will live in our luxury villas, dealing, trading, enslaving the locals, raping and robbing. This island will turn into slums.

Kat’s familiar arms wrap around my middle from behind. “You okay?”

My wild thing is the person who always carries me through the tough times. Moreover, when Kat is with me, I feel I can handle anything. I hope I can.

“Yeah,” I lie.

I pull her into me, wrap my arm around her shoulders, and she leans into me as we watch Ayana glow in the setting sun.

It’s a beautiful island with so many opportunities. But somewhere on this island, there is cancer. It spreads its metastases with astonishing speed. And somehow, we failed to find the cure.

The sound of the helicopter rising in the air makes us raise our faces to the sky.

“Dean Doukas is leaving,” I say.

“Traitor,” Kat blurts out.

I chuckle. “Nah. He just wants to be safe. I don’t blame him. Many others will leave. We just have to accept that.”

The helicopter passes over Ayana, a black bird against the blue-pinkish sky.

“Bye, asshole,” Kat says, waving her hand at the helicopter. “I never liked him.”

I smile. Thank God for this wild girl. One word from her can completely turn my shitty mood 180 degrees.

“How about we make tonight a date night?” I ask. “Dinner, movie.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah? Maybe try the upside-down pose again?”

“Shut up!” She slaps me playfully.

I grin at the horizon, the dark dot of the helicopter that looks like a bug flying North over Port Mrei.

Suddenly, a dark streak shoots out of Port Mrei. It has a white smoky tail, zooming fast through the air.

In seconds, it collides with the helicopter. A bright flash with a loud bang illuminates the sky as the helicopter explodes.

Everything gets dizzy.

My heart floors.

I hold my breath, eyes widening at the fire blooming in the sky where Dean Doukas just was.

“Holy fuck,” Kat whispers.

Both of us stare in shock as blood pounds in my ears.

My phone rings.

I already know what’s coming, but I pick it up anyway to the grim news, “Someone just blew up Dean’s helicopter. Someone from Port Mrei.”

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